Interview with Miss Hampshire 2013

As an entrant in Miss Hampshire 2015, I wanted to find out what it takes to win the crown. I know it is one of the toughest heats around - I've been in Miss England yet I've never won this regional - it seems to be my Achilles heel.

However, I am creating a series of blogs dedicated to the former Miss Hampshire's, and first up is Miss Hampshire 2013 Hayley Adlam. She explains below what actually being Miss Hampshire really entails, and what she did with her title, as well as the lessons she learned and how she developed as a wonderful young woman because of the competition:

"Miss Hampshire is so much more than a crown and a title. It provides a platform to represent your county not only on the Miss England stage but within every aspect of your life. You carry the responsibility of holding such a prestigious title. I found that being Miss Hampshire helped me to grow in confidence and was a huge motivator to excel within every aspect of my life. From my bachelors degree in Marine Geography and my thesis project studying fin whales in the Bay of Biscay, right through to my charity work. Everything I worked towards, I was always subconsciously wearing my crown, and this gave me the strength and positivity to make remarkable changes not only in my own life but also within those less fortunate than I. My charitable contributions are among my most proud. Running the Winchester 10k for Hampshire Air Ambulance, as well as supporting Young Minds, a mental health charity very close to my heart, were two of my favourite charitable memories from my year as Miss Hampshire.

The Miss World charity, Beauty with a Purpose, was one of my primary fundraising charities whereby I held a Summer Party to raise funds for disadvantaged children across the UK prior to the Miss England finals. 'Beauty with a Purpose', founded in 1972 by Miss World organiser Julia Morley, is without a doubt the lifeblood of our pageant organisation. This purpose drives each and every contestant through each stage of the competition, from Miss Hampshire to Miss World, to show their inner beauty. It shows that true beauty radiates from within and that this is something we should always hold strong within our hearts. Helping other people is our calling, whether that be helping an elderly person cross the road, assisting a mother struggling with a pushchair or spending your time volunteering and fundraising. This is our purpose and this is the element which makes the Miss World organisation so special, and a reason why many women enter this competition. Myself included.

Each and every day I see how my pageant sisters are helping the world around them, long after they have handed their crown over to the next lucky lady. This makes me exceptionally proud. We all have different strengths and with that we have grown to become a strong force of like minded young women who together can make a positive difference to the world we live in.

I am proud to have won the title of Miss Hampshire 2013 and wish the best of luck to everyone who enters for 2015. I felt in my heart that Miss Hampshire was the right path for me to follow. As Miss Hampshire you have a service to the community, you are a role model to others and you have to want to make a difference to the world around you. Being a beauty queen is a calling in life. It's the duty to help others. Embrace this with all your heart and your true beauty will shine.

With love,
Hayley Adlam - Miss Hampshire 2013"